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Will A Washing Machines Fit Through The Door? (Answered)

Washing machines are a very important household appliance. They provide a stress and worry-free way to perform household laundry and chores.

However, washing machines are known to be big and bulky, which can be a problem when installing them in houses with small doorways.

Small to medium washing machines will fit in 32-36 inches wide doors. The average dimension of washing machines is 27x 31x 39 inches for medium to large machines. That means it would be best if you factor in the size of your doorway before purchasing a washer. 

Below, I will explain all the factors you need to consider before purchasing and installing a washing machine in your home.

Will Wash Machines Fit through a Standard Door?

washing machine fit through door

As mentioned above, a washing machine will fit through a standard door provided it is above 32 – 36 inches wide. 

Washing machines are quite bulky when compared to other household appliances. They can hold large amounts of water and clothes during laundry.

Their size (comparable to refrigerators in some cases) makes them a nightmare for homeowners trying to install them in houses with small doors and hallways.

You should ensure you confirm the width of your doors and hallways before attempting to install a washing machine.

The following factors will determine whether your washing machine fits your standard door.

#1. Size of the Machine

Size of the Machine

Buyers can easily select their preferred choice and size of the washing machine before buying it, but they need help to easily alter the size of their doorways.

It would help if you only chose washers smaller than the maximum width of your house doors to prevent situations where your washing machine cannot pass through a door.

#2. Width of Your Room Doorway

Room Doorway

The width of your room door is the most important factor you should consider before buying a washer because you cannot expand your doorway without a lot of work.

Standard door sizes range from 32 to 36 inches in width. 

If you have Door sizes smaller than this, it will be difficult or next to impossible to pass a washer between them without many scratches.

You can opt for a doorway expansion if you wish to use something other than a smaller washer. 

#3. Washer Form Factor

type of washer

The form factor of your washer also plays a big role in its ability to fit in a standard door. 

There are front loader washers, top loader washers, washer and dryer combos, and fully automatic washers.

These different types of washers have different widths, with front loaders and the side-by-side washer and dryer combo being the widest.

It will help if you choose a washer with a smaller form factor if you want it to fit into your door.

How Big Should Laundry Doors Be To Fit a Washing Machine?

laundry room door

Laundry room doors should be at least 32 inches wide if you want them to fit many washing machines.

With the proper skills, you can expand your existing doorways to fit washers of different widths and sizes. 

There are two main types of washing machine installation in modern homes today. They are;

  • Free-standing washing machines
  • Integrated washing machines

It would be best to know the average sizes of the different types of washing machines before making a purchase.

Here are some of the different form factors of washing machines and their average dimensions.

Type of WasherWidth (cm)Breadth (cm)Height (cm)
Front loading 856060
Top loading 7072111
Washer and dryer combo (side by side)14470/80107
Washer and dryer combo (stacked)7070/80214

#1. Front Loader Washer

front load washer

Front loaders are a type of washing machine with a door at the front. Front-loaders have mainly even depth and height, but it has a much larger width. 

According to the cool blue website,  front loaders have an average WDH of 86x60x60 cm.

#2. Top Loader Washer

top load washer

Another popular washer is the Top loader washer, with its access point on the top of the machine. 

Top loader washing machines have some of the smallest widths among washers. 

They can pass through doorways as tiny as 30 inches without touching the walls. They average W 70 x D 72 x H 111 cm.  

#3. Washer and Dryer Combo

Washer and Dryer Combo

The two types of washer and dryer combos are;

  • Side-by-side combo
  • Stacked combo

Side-by-side washer and dryer combos are the widest of all washing machines in production. It combines a normal washing machine (mostly a top loader) and a dryer.

The stacked washer and dryer combo are the tallest washing machines, consisting of a washer (front loader) stacked on each other.

#4. Fully Automatic Washer

Fully automatic washers are relatively modern washing machines with a washer and a dryer inbuilt and can wash and dry clothes fully automated.

Automatic washers can resemble normal front and top-loading washing machines, but the key difference is that fully automatic washers wash and dry clothes at a push of a button.   

How Do You Get a Washing Machine Through a Small Door?

small door

You can get a washing machine through a small doorway by flipping it on its smaller side and passing it through the door, or you can expand the small doorway.

Houses with small doorways are a nightmare for homeowners and movers.

If your house doors are too small to allow your new washer to pass, you can try one or more of the following. 

#1. Disassembling the Washer

Disassembling the Washer

Although it requires technical skill and preparation, you can disassemble the washing machine, move the pieces through the door, and reassemble it inside the room.

Disassembly is a very effective way of moving your washer into otherwise inaccessible doors and rooms.  

#2. Widening/Expanding Your Door

expending room door

Expanding doorways is Often seen as a last resort if you want to allow your oversized washer to pass.

Expanding doorways can be as simple as removing your door from its Hinges to removing the entire door and its frame.

It would be best to ask for professional help or advice if you plan to expand your doorframe.

#3. Flipping the washer

If you look at the Table above, you will observe that washers are wider horizontally than they are deeper most of the time. 

You can flip washers like this to another face, and it will pass through your doorway successfully. 

#4. Try Another Doorway

An often overlooked solution to small doorways issues is trying another doorway. It is a fact that not all doorways in houses have the same dimensions. 

You can try another doorway that leads to the room your laundry room or create a temporary outside if it is not accessible.

Conclusion 

After reading the points above, you should be able to understand the steps and precautions you can take to prevent you from purchasing a washer that cannot fit through your doorways.

Some of the key things you should consider are the size of your doorways and washing machine and the form factor of the washing machine.


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